A device for measuring physical quantities on electrical conductor cables with outer perimetral insulation

Abstract

A device for measuring physical quantities on electric conductors, comprising a casing suitable for assembly on the outside of the conductor via clamping and fastening means, a metallic punch that can be lodged in the metallic core of the conductor for taking measurements and sensing electronics associated to a printed circuit board wherein the metallic punch passes tightly through a support base, the sensing electronics made up of measuring chips encapsulated with multi-chip modular (MCM) technology being fastened on the outside of said support base. The measuring device is used in a remote control and management system of an electrical installation, to optimize the conditions of safety, consumption, energy efficiency, predictive maintenance and CO2 emissions; all this in industrial facilities, buildings and dwellings.

1 . A device for measuring physical quantities ( 1 ) on an electrical conductor cable ( 2 ) with outer perimetral insulation ( 2 . 2 ), comprising:
 a casing ( 10 ) that can be mounted on the outside of the electrical conductor cable ( 2 ) via clamping and fastening means ( 10 . 1 ),   a metallic punch ( 3 ) that lodges itself into the metallic core ( 2 . 1 ) of the electrical conductor cable ( 2 ), by piercing the outer perimetral insulation ( 2 . 2 ) of said conductor cable ( 2 ) to take measurements,   a printed circuit board ( 4 ) comprising a modem ( 5 ) that sends/receives data via encoded signals,   sensing and data processing electronics ( 6 ) associated to the printed circuit board ( 4 ),   
       characterised in that the metallic punch ( 3 ) comprises a central portion ( 3 . 1 ) that pierces in a fitted manner a support base ( 7 ) of the metallic punch ( 3 ); outside of said support base ( 7 ) are attached the sensing electronics ( 6 ) comprising encapsulated chips with multi-chip modular technology (MCM) to measure physical quantities on the electrical conductor cable ( 2 ). 
     
     
         2 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein the sensing electronics ( 6 ) comprise a thermal chip that performs temperature measurements on the electrical conductor cable ( 2 ) at different depths according to the radius thereof. 
     
     
         3 . A device according to any of the previous claims, wherein the sensing electronics ( 6 ) comprise an accelerometer and gyroscope chip that measures the vibrations transmitted by the electrical conductor cable ( 2 ). 
     
     
         4 . A device according to any of the previous claims, wherein the sensing electronics ( 6 ) comprise an inductometer chip that performs 3D measurements of the magnetic field on the electrical conductor cable ( 2 ) for magnetographic representation, both analogical and digital. 
     
     
         5 . A device according to any of the previous claims, wherein the sensing electronics ( 6 ) comprise a magnetoresistive chip that measures values of the current circulating through the electrical conductor cable ( 2 ) according to the electric resistance or impedance caused by the magnetic field induced by the current itself that is circulating through said electrical conductor cable ( 2 ). 
     
     
         6 . A device according to any of the previous claims, wherein the sensing electronics ( 6 ) comprise an electrical network analyser chip that integrates measurements of voltage, intensity and wave shape, measured in the electrical conductor cable ( 2 ), including the corresponding harmonics and eventual micro-cuts in power supply. 
     
     
         7 . A device according to any of the previous claims, wherein the sensing electronics ( 6 ) comprise at least one chip that performs measurements of smoke, ionizing radiation, gases, liquids, solids, weight, pressure, humidity, flow rate, density, viscosity, colorimetry and/or luminosity outside the electrical conductor cable ( 2 ). 
     
     
         8 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein the central portion ( 3 . 1 ) of the metallic punch ( 3 ) comprises a threaded section ( 3 . 11 ) that threads onto the support base ( 7 ). 
     
     
         9 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein the metallic punch ( 3 ) slides inside a guide of dielectric material ( 8 ) with the free end sharpened into a needle shape that when it pierces the outer perimetral insulation ( 2 . 2 ) of the electrical conductor cable ( 2 ) forms a dielectric passage for the metallic punch ( 3 ) that connects the sensing electronics ( 6 ) with the metallic core ( 2 . 1 ) of the conductor cable ( 2 ). 
     
     
         10 . A device according to  claim 9 , wherein the guide of dielectric material ( 8 ) is radially shot towards the inside of the electrical conductor cable ( 2 ) piercing its outer perimetral insulation ( 2 . 2 ) when a thrusting means ( 9 ) is released. 
     
     
         11 . A device according to  claim 10 , wherein the thrusting means ( 9 ) is a spring ( 9 . 1 ) or a gas piston ( 9 . 2 ). 
     
     
         12 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein the clamping and fastening means ( 10 . 1 ) comprise a hook shaped pivoting arm ( 10 . 11 ) that clasps and holds the electrical conductor cable ( 2 ) against a v-shaped seat ( 10 . 21 ) of a casing body ( 10 . 2 ) of the casing ( 10 ). 
     
     
         13 . A device according to  claim 12 , wherein the pivoting arm ( 10 . 11 ) is joined to the casing body ( 10 . 2 ) via a rotation axis ( 10 . 111 ) with a locking mechanism ( 11 ) of the ratchet kind, the locking mechanism ( 11 ) adjusts the assembly of the device ( 1 ) to the outer diameter of the electrical conductor cable ( 2 ), allowing its solid and fitted fastening to the same. 
     
     
         14 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein the metallic punch ( 3 ) comprises an actuating head ( 3 . 2 ) that is adapted in order to receive a manual or an automatic tool. 
     
     
         15 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein the modem ( 5 ) comprises power line communications (PLC) technology, and the encoded signals are sent/received via the electrical conductor cable ( 2 ) into which the metallic punch ( 3 ) is driven.